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St. Louis Cardinals' Albert Pujols, shown here in 2008, passed Babe Ruth's 2,214 official RBI in October 2022. Pujols finished his Major League Baseball career with 2,218 RBI and second place on the all-time list.

A run batted in or runs batted in (RBI[1]) is a statistic in baseball and softball that credits a batter for making a play that allows a run to be scored (except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play). For example, if the batter bats a base hit which allows a teammate on a higher base to reach home and so score a run, then the batter gets credited with an RBI.

Before the 1920 Major League Baseball season, runs batted in were not an official baseball statistic. Nevertheless, the RBI statistic was tabulated—unofficially—from 1907 through 1919 by baseball writer Ernie Lanigan, according to the Society for American Baseball Research.[2]

Common nicknames for an RBI include "ribby" (or "ribbie"), "rib", and "ribeye". The plural of "RBI" is a matter of "(very) minor controversy" for baseball fans:[3] it is usually "RBIs", in accordance with the usual practice for pluralizing initialisms in English;[4][5] however, some sources use "RBI" as the plural, on the basis that it can stand for "runs batted in".[3][4]

Major League Baseball rules

[edit]

The 2018 edition of the Official Baseball Rules of Major League Baseball (MLB), Rule 9.04 Runs Batted In, reads:[6]

A run batted in is a statistic credited to a batter whose action at bat causes one or more runs to score, as outlined in Rule 9.04.

(a) The official scorer shall credit the batter with a run batted in for every run that scores

(1) unaided by an error and as part of a play begun by the batter's safe hit (including the batter's home run), sacrifice bunt, sacrifice fly, infield out, or fielder's choice unless Rule 9.04(b) applies;
(2) by reason of the batter becoming a runner with the bases full (because of a base on balls, an award of first base for being touched by a pitched ball or for interference or obstruction); or
(3) when, before two are out, an error is made on a play on which a runner from third base ordinarily would score.

(b) The official scorer shall not credit a run batted in

(1) when the batter grounds into a force double play or a reverse-force double play; or
(2) when a fielder is charged with an error because the fielder muffs a throw at first base that would have completed a force double play.

(c) The official scorer's judgment must determine whether a run batted in shall be credited for a run that scores when a fielder holds the ball or throws to a wrong base. Ordinarily, if the runner keeps going, the official scorer should credit a run batted in; if the runner stops and takes off again when the runner notices the misplay, the official scorer should credit the run as scored on a fielder's choice.

From 1980 to 1988, the game-winning RBI was an additional statistic used in MLB.

Criticism

[edit]

The perceived significance of the RBI is displayed by the fact that it is one of the three categories that compose the triple crown. In addition, career RBIs are often cited in debates over who should be elected to the Hall of Fame. However, critics, particularly within the field of sabermetrics, argue that RBIs measure the quality of the lineup more than it does the player himself. This is because an RBI can only be credited to a player if one or more batters preceding him in the batting order have reached base (the exception to this being a home run, in which the batter is credited with driving himself in, not just those already on base).[7][8] This implies that better offensive teams—and therefore, the teams in which the most players get on base—tend to produce hitters with higher RBI totals than equivalent hitters on lesser-hitting teams.[9]

RBI leaders in Major League Baseball

[edit]

Career

[edit]
Further information: List of Major League Baseball career runs batted in leaders
Hank Aaron, All-time career leader in RBI with 2,297.

Totals are current through 2023 (regular season). Active player is in bold.

  1. Hank Aaron – 2,297
  2. Albert Pujols - 2,218
  3. Babe Ruth – 2,214
  4. Alex Rodríguez – 2,086
  5. Cap Anson - 2,075
  6. Barry Bonds – 1,996
  7. Lou Gehrig – 1,995
  8. Stan Musial – 1,951
  9. Ty Cobb – 1,944
  10. Jimmie Foxx – 1,922
  11. Eddie Murray – 1,917
  12. Willie Mays - 1,909

Season

[edit]
Hank Greenberg, Hall of Famer and 2-time MVP
  1. Hack Wilson (1930) – 191
  2. Lou Gehrig (1931) – 185
  3. Hank Greenberg (1937) – 183
  4. Jimmie Foxx (1938) – 175
  5. Lou Gehrig (1927, 1930) – 173

Game

[edit]
Further information: List of Major League Baseball single-game runs batted in leaders

Inning

[edit]
Further information: List of Major League Baseball single-inning runs batted in leaders
  1. Fernando Tatís (April 23, 1999) – 8
  2. Ed Cartwright (September 23, 1890) – 7
  3. Alex Rodriguez (October 4, 2009) – 7

Postseason (single season)

[edit]
  1. Adolis García (2023) – 22[11]
  2. David Freese (2011) – 21[12]
  3. Corey Seager (2020) – 20[11]
  4. Scott Spiezio (2002) – 19[12]
  5. Sandy Alomar Jr. (1997) – 19[12]
  6. David Ortiz (2004) – 19[12]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Run batted in

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from Grokipedia
In , a run batted in (RBI) is a credited to a batter when their action at the plate—such as a hit, , walk, , or certain fielder's choices—directly causes one or more runners to score by crossing home plate. A batter is credited with an RBI for their own run only when they hit a . Officially recognized as a Major League Baseball (MLB) statistic since 1920, the RBI has become one of the sport's most prominent measures of offensive production, highlighting a player's ability to drive runners home and contribute to team scoring. Prior to 1920, RBI totals were tracked informally but not standardized across leagues. The statistic's calculation follows precise rules outlined in MLB's Official Baseball Rules (Rule 9.04), ensuring consistency in how credit is assigned for scored runs. RBIs remain a key component in evaluating hitters, with career leaders like (2,297 RBIs) and (2,214 RBIs) exemplifying its historical significance in player legacies and Hall of Fame considerations. While the stat has faced criticism for depending on opportunities created by teammates on base, it continues to influence batting orders, awards like the RBI title, and fantasy baseball metrics.

Fundamentals

Definition

A run batted in (RBI) is a statistic credited to a batter whose action at bat causes one or more runs to score. This credit is awarded in various situations stemming from the batter's plate appearance, such as a hit, sacrifice fly, walk, or hit by pitch, where the result directly leads to a runner crossing home plate. Each run scored due to the batter's action counts as one RBI, allowing for multiple credits in a single at-bat if multiple runners advance and score. Unlike runs scored, which tally the total instances a player personally crosses home plate, an RBI measures the batter's specific contribution to a teammate's run or their own run on a , emphasizing the role in driving offensive production. This distinction highlights how RBIs focus on the batter's impact on team scoring opportunities, including individual scoring via home runs, particularly when runners are already on base. The primary purpose of the RBI statistic is to evaluate a player's effectiveness in generating runs for their team, serving as a key indicator of offensive capability in high-pressure, scenarios with baserunners present. It is one of baseball's traditional metrics for assessing hitters, often considered alongside and s in the Triple Crown. Basic examples illustrate this concept clearly: a groundout with the bases loaded that scores the runner from third base credits the batter with 1 RBI, as their out enables the run without an error or other independent factor. Similarly, a hit with runners on base awards the batter an RBI for each runner who scores ahead of them, plus one for themselves, resulting in multiple RBIs for that .

Crediting Mechanics

A run batted in (RBI) is credited to a batter when their action during a directly causes one or more runners to score, as determined by the based on the play's outcome. The process begins with the batter completing their at-bat, either by reaching base safely through a hit, walk, or , or by making an out such as a or ground out that advances runners. The scorer then assesses whether the run scoring is attributable to this action, ensuring a causal link where the batter's contribution enables the runner(s) to cross home plate without external factors altering the sequence. The number of RBIs awarded equals the number of runs that score as a direct result of the batter's play. For instance, in a bases-loaded situation, if the batter hits a single that allows three runners to score safely, the batter receives three RBIs, one for each runner driven by the hit. Similarly, a grand slam credits the batter with four RBIs: one for each of the three baserunners plus their own run scored. This multiplicative crediting reflects the scale of the batter's impact on that specific at-bat. Specific plays that trigger RBI credits include sacrifice flies, where a fly ball is caught for an out but a runner tags up from third base and scores after the catch, awarding one RBI to the batter. Bases-loaded walks also qualify, forcing the runner from third home and crediting the batter with one RBI, even though the batter does not swing. Ground outs can yield an RBI if a runner from third scores on the play, such as a grounder to shortstop with fewer than two outs, provided the runner advances home due to the batter's action. In all cases, the official scorer verifies the direct causation to ensure accurate attribution.

Rules and Exceptions

Official MLB Rules

The Official Baseball Rules govern the awarding of runs batted in (RBIs) through Rule 9.04, which defines an RBI as a statistic credited to a batter whose action causes one or more runs to score, provided the run scores before the third out is made. This rule is supplemented by sections in the official scoring manual on run-charging, emphasizing that the batter's legal action must directly enable the runner to touch home plate without assistance from defensive errors. Under Rule 9.04(a)(1), the credits the batter with an RBI for every run that scores unaided by an and resulting from a hit, , sacrifice bunt or , infield out (including as the ), or . Additional credits apply under Rule 9.04(a)(2) when bases are loaded and the batter reaches first via a walk, , or interference, forcing a run home; or under Rule 9.04(a)(3) when an before two outs allows a runner from third to score who would not have otherwise. The batter's action must be legal, such as a or base-reaching event, and the run must be attributable to that action rather than solely to fielder misplay. Specific applications clarify edge cases: an RBI is not credited for a run scoring on a wild pitch unless the batter simultaneously advances to first base on that pitch (e.g., as ), in which case it functions as a bases-loaded walk; otherwise, the advance is scored as a wild pitch without RBI attribution. Similarly, no RBI is awarded if a run scores on a dropped third strike, as the batter's "action" is deemed a , and any run is charged to the wild pitch or rather than the batter. Umpire judgment plays a key role in close plays, particularly in distinguishing intent and causation, as outlined in Rule 9.04(c) and (d). For instance, if a batter grounds into what could be a but a fielder's misplay allows a run to score, the scorer consults to determine if the runner advanced due to the batter's hit (crediting RBI) or halted before resuming (potentially a without RBI). Rulebook illustrations, such as a runner from third scoring on a groundout where the batter is retired at first before the runner touches home, emphasize that the third out nullifies the RBI if it precedes the run's completion. In such scenarios, the umpire-in-chief may confer with the crew to ensure consistent application of run-charging principles.

Situations Without RBI Credit

In , certain game situations result in a run scoring across home plate without the batter receiving credit for a run batted in (RBI), as these scenarios attribute the scoring to defensive miscues, runner initiative, or rule-specific force plays rather than the batter's direct action. According to Official Baseball Rule 9.04, the official scorer withholds RBI credit when the run is aided by an or occurs independently of the batter's outcome. Error-assisted runs negate RBI eligibility when a defensive enables the score. For example, if a runner on third base scores due to a fielder's on a ground ball hit by the batter, the run is considered unaided by the batter's action alone, and no RBI is awarded, even though the batter reached base safely. Similarly, a by the during a that allows a runner to score from third results in no RBI for the batter, as the run stems from the catcher's rather than the . Force outs and double plays also exclude RBI credit in cases where the batter's out prevents direct causation. When the batter grounds into a force —such as with runners on first and third, where the runner from third scores but the batter and runner from first are both retired—no RBI is given, as the play results in two outs and the run is not solely attributable to the batter's hit. This applies even if the run crosses the plate before the second out, emphasizing the rule's focus on the play's overall outcome. Catcher interference or obstruction leads to runs scored without RBI when attributed to defensive infractions. If the catcher's glove contacts the batter's swing, allowing a runner to advance and score, the run is charged to the interference under Rule 6.01(d), with no RBI credited to the batter, as the scoring derives from the miscue rather than the plate appearance. Obstruction by a fielder, such as blocking a base path that permits a runner to score, follows similar logic, awarding bases but denying RBI to the batter involved. Balks, wild pitches, and related pitcher errors deny RBI when they enable scoring without batter advancement tied to a hit. A called on the with a runner on third allows the runner to score without the batter completing their at-bat, resulting in no RBI, as the run is independent of any . Likewise, a wild pitch that advances and scores a runner during the at-bat credits no RBI to the batter. An illustrative case is a runner stealing home on a pitch while the batter is swinging; the successful steal awards the run but no RBI, highlighting how runner-driven actions override batter credit.

Historical Context

Origin and Early Use

The concept of runs batted in (RBI) emerged in the late as transitioned from a recreational pastime to a professional , with early informal tracking appearing in accounts of games. The "runs batted in" was first noted in 1879 by a Buffalo describing a specific play, marking one of the earliest references to crediting batters for driving in runs. By 1880, the began systematically recording RBI in its box scores, though it discontinued the practice after one season due to the challenges of accurate compilation and protests from fans who viewed it as an unfair measure of individual contribution. Other periodicals, such as Sporting Life founded in 1883, contributed to this informal adoption by including detailed game summaries that occasionally highlighted players' run-producing actions in the , reflecting growing interest in quantifying offensive impact beyond simple runs scored. Henry Chadwick, often called the "father of baseball," played a pivotal role in standardizing early statistics, laying the groundwork for metrics like RBI through his development of the box score in 1859 and emphasis on tracking hits, total bases, and runs as indicators of player value. As a prolific writer for outlets like the New York Clipper and Spirit of the Times, Chadwick advocated for numerical evaluations of performance starting in the 1860s, crediting batters for contributions to team scoring in a manner that extended to informal run-driven tallies by the 1880s. His influence helped normalize such data in minor league contexts, where newspapers began compiling unofficial RBI figures; for instance, the International League tracked RBI as early as 1884 using sports publications, with leaders like Tom "Oyster" Burns recording 94 in that inaugural season. A key milestone came in 1907 when sportswriter Ernie Lanigan, then at the New York Press, began unofficial RBI tabulations for major league games, compiling data through 1919 that later informed retroactive records. This effort marked RBI's semi-official recognition in some around the same period, though full adoption in occurred in 1920, when the statistic became standard in official ledgers maintained by the league. Early examples of high RBI producers included , whose non-official tallies in the 1890s—such as 147 runs driven in during 1886 for the Chicago White Stockings—highlighted the metric's value in assessing clutch hitting, even without formal rules.

Evolution in Records

Major League Baseball officially adopted the run batted in (RBI) as a statistic in 1920, marking the beginning of its compilation in annual records under Rule 86, Section 8 of the Official Baseball Rules. This adoption coincided with the league's push for more comprehensive statistical tracking, though initial definitions were vague, leading to some inconsistencies in early scoring. While official MLB records start from 1920, researchers later retroactively compiled RBI totals for select pre-1920 players using newspaper box scores and play-by-play accounts to provide historical context. Key clarifications to RBI crediting emerged in , particularly with the revision under Rule 70, Section 13, which provided a more precise definition encompassing runs scored on safe hits, sacrifice hits, and forced advances. This update specifically addressed scenarios like by affirming RBI credit for fly balls that drove in runs, even as the separate sacrifice fly classification was discontinued that year; however, such plays now counted as at-bats, unlike prior to . The sacrifice fly rule was reintroduced in 1954, once again excluding such plays from at-bat counts while continuing to credit RBIs. The RBI's integration into broader statistical frameworks solidified in the 1920s, notably as a component of the Triple Crown—leading a league in , home runs, and RBIs—a benchmark first fully recognized with RBI's official status. This era also saw RBI totals surge with the transition from the dead-ball period (pre-1920), characterized by low-scoring games and few extra-base hits, to the , driven by rule tweaks like banning the and using cleaner baseballs, which boosted offensive production and elevated RBI as a measure of run creation. In modern , no major alterations to RBI crediting rules have occurred since the , preserving its core definition amid evolving analytics. The witnessed a growing emphasis on contextual metrics like wins above replacement (WAR) and (OPS), which account for opportunities and plate discipline, yet RBI endured as a fundamental traditional statistic in Hall of Fame evaluations, award considerations, and fan discourse.

Criticisms and Alternatives

Key Limitations

One of the primary limitations of the run batted in (RBI) statistic is opportunity bias, where a batter's RBI total is heavily influenced by the presence of runners on base rather than solely by their individual hitting ability. Analysis of data from 1987 to 2001 shows that RBI per at-bat variance is explained 94.3% by factors including opportunities (runners on base per ), , and isolated power, indicating that external opportunities can account for substantial differences in totals independent of skill. For instance, leadoff hitters typically encounter fewer runners on base, resulting in lower RBI opportunities compared to those batting later in the lineup. RBI also suffers from team context dependency, as high totals often reflect a player's position in the batting order or the overall strength of their team's offense, which provides more runners to drive in, while undervaluing solo home runs or contributions in low-scoring environments. Players in the middle of the lineup, such as the cleanup spot, inherently face more loaded bases situations, inflating their RBI counts regardless of comparable individual performance to teammates in other slots. This context makes RBI a poor isolated measure of a batter's run production ability, as it ignores the structural advantages or disadvantages imposed by team lineup construction. Furthermore, RBI is affected by elements of luck and sequencing, including the order of events in an , which can prevent runs from scoring even on solid contact and thus undervalue consistent hitters who produce quality at-bats without guaranteed outcomes. Year-to-year correlations for RBI are low, suggesting that variations often stem from random sequencing rather than a repeatable "" skill. Sabermetric studies from the , building on earlier quantitative analyses, have demonstrated a low between RBI and overall offensive value, emphasizing its reliance on team and situational factors over individual contributions. These findings, including regression models showing RBI as context-dependent, have led to the development of alternative metrics like weighted plus (wRC+) that better isolate player impact. Modern baseball analytics, particularly those emerging in , have introduced statistics that mitigate the opportunity dependency of RBI by focusing on a batter's independent contributions to run production. These metrics emphasize context-neutral evaluations, adjusting for external factors like effects, , and base situations to provide a more comprehensive assessment of offensive value. Weighted Runs Created Plus (wRC+) is a - and league-adjusted metric that quantifies a player's total offensive contribution in runs relative to league , where 100 represents average performance. It builds on weighted on-base (wOBA), which assigns run values to different offensive outcomes, and normalizes for environmental variables to isolate skill. The underlying wRC calculation provides an overview of the process: wRC=(wOBA−League wOBAwOBA Scale+League R/PA)×PAwRC = \left( \frac{wOBA - \text{League wOBA}}{wOBA \text{ Scale}} + \text{League R/PA} \right) \times PA This formula scales a player's deviation from the league average by a constant (wOBA Scale, which varies by year, e.g., 1.277 in 2013) , adds the league runs per plate appearance (League R/PA), and multiplies by the player's plate appearances (PA); wRC+ then applies further park and league adjustments. Unlike RBI, wRC+ credits batters solely for their actions' run value, regardless of runners on base. Wins Above Replacement (WAR) offers a holistic measure of a player's overall value by integrating offensive, defensive, and baserunning contributions, expressed in wins above a replacement-level player. Offensively, WAR incorporates RBI indirectly through run production models like weighted runs above average (wRAA), which derive from wOBA and emphasize total impact on scoring rather than situational credits. This approach prioritizes a player's comprehensive value to team wins, providing a broader alternative to RBI's narrow focus on driving in runs. Other context-adjusted alternatives include Isolated Power (ISO), which isolates a batter's extra-base power by subtracting from (ISO = SLG - AVG), measuring raw slugging without dependence on runners. Run Expectancy 24 (RE24) evaluates the change in expected runs from a play's start to end across 24 base-out states, crediting batters for situational run expectancy shifts plus any immediate runs scored. The post-2000s rise of , influenced by Bill James's foundational work in statistical analysis, has shifted emphasis toward these advanced metrics over traditional ones like RBI, promoting data-driven evaluations in and .

Records and Leaders

Career Leaders

The all-time career leaders in runs batted in (RBI) in reflect a combination of longevity, power hitting, and opportunity within the lineup, with totals accumulated over thousands of plate appearances. holds the record with 2,297 RBIs over 23 seasons (1954–1976), primarily with the Milwaukee and . ranks second with 2,218 RBIs across 22 seasons (2001–2022), mainly with the Cardinals. is third at 2,214 RBIs in 22 seasons (1914–1935), mostly with the New York Yankees. follows with 2,086 RBIs in 22 seasons (1994–2016), primarily with the New York Yankees. Rounding out the top five is with 2,075 RBIs over 27 seasons (1871–1897), chiefly with the Chicago White Stockings (now Cubs). These leaders exemplify different eras of the game. Aaron's total underscores his remarkable consistency, driving in runs at an elite level across two decades without relying on the explosive power surges seen in later periods, averaging over 100 RBIs per season for much of his career. Ruth revolutionized offensive production with his power dominance, amassing RBIs through an unprecedented output that shifted toward a emphasis in the . Pujols demonstrated similar durability, blending contact and power to sustain high RBI production into his 40s. Rodriguez combined athleticism and plate discipline for prolific run production in the , while Anson, a 19th-century pioneer, established early benchmarks as a and manager, leading the National League in RBIs eight times despite rudimentary scoring rules. Career RBI totals must be viewed with era adjustments in mind. The dead-ball era (roughly 1900–1919) featured lower offensive output due to heavier balls, larger ballparks, and a focus on small-ball strategies like bunting and stolen bases, which suppressed RBI opportunities compared to later periods. Pre-1947 statistics exclude Negro Leagues players, whose records were not fully integrated into MLB's official canon until 2020; this omission historically underrepresented Black talent, though it has not altered the top integrated MLB rankings. Key milestones highlight the pursuit of these records. Aaron became the first player to reach 2,000 RBIs on July 3, 1972, with a home run against the . Pujols surpassed Rodriguez for second place on the all-time list with his 2,087th RBI on August 25, 2020, via an RBI single against the Astros.
RankPlayerRBIsYears ActivePrimary Team(s)
12,2971954–1976Milwaukee/
22,2182001–2022St. Louis Cardinals
32,2141914–1935New York Yankees
42,0861994–2016New York Yankees
52,0751871–1897Chicago White Stockings/Cubs

Single-Season Leaders

The all-time single-season record for runs batted in (RBIs) in is held by , who drove in 191 runs for the Chicago Cubs in 1930 during a 154-game schedule. This mark, achieved primarily as the in a potent Cubs lineup that included five players with at least 100 RBIs that year, has stood for over nine decades and exemplifies the offensive explosion of the . Wilson's total remains unmatched, reflecting both his individual prowess—slashing .356/.454/.861 with 56 home runs—and the run-scoring environment of the late and early . The top single-season RBI totals highlight dominance by sluggers batting in the middle of the order, often in high-powered offenses. Below is a table of the top five such seasons:
RankPlayerRBIsYearTeam
11911930Chicago Cubs
21851931New York Yankees
31841937Detroit Tigers
41751938Boston Red Sox
51731927New York Yankees
These performances, all from the pre-expansion era with 154-game schedules, underscore how lineup position—typically third or fourth—maximized opportunities for RBIs by following on-base threats like for Gehrig or for Greenberg. In the , following the expansion to a 162-game schedule in 1961, RBI totals have generally trended lower due to factors like increased pitching specialization and larger ballparks, though standout seasons persist. recorded 137 RBIs in 2006 for the St. Louis Cardinals, a notable high in the 2000s driven by his cleanup role and 49 home runs. Earlier, nearly reached elite territory in his 1939 rookie season with the Boston Red Sox, tallying 145 RBIs while batting .327 with 31 home runs, falling short of the era's top marks but establishing himself as a run producer.

Single-Game and Inning Records

The record for most runs batted in (RBIs) in a single game is 12, a mark first set by Cardinals first baseman Jim Bottomley on September 16, 1924, against the Brooklyn Robins at . Bottomley achieved this in a 17-3 Cardinals victory by going 6-for-6, including a grand slam in the fourth , a two-run in the sixth, a two-run double in the second, two-run and RBI singles in the first and seventh innings, respectively, and an RBI single in the ninth. The record stood alone for nearly 70 years until it was tied by Cardinals on September 7, 1993, in the second game of a doubleheader against the at , which won 15-2. Whiten accomplished the feat with four s: a grand slam in the first off , a three-run homer in the sixth off John Smiley, another three-run shot in the seventh off Scott Service, and a two-run homer in the ninth off Jeff Brantley. These 12-RBI performances remain the only instances of that total in MLB history since the modern era began in 1900, highlighting the rarity of such offensive explosions, which often occur in high-scoring contests where baserunners provide multiple opportunities. Extended games, such as those going into , can theoretically offer additional chances for RBIs, though the tied record holders both accomplished their feats in nine-inning affairs. Notable near-misses include several players reaching 10 RBIs, such as designated hitter on September 19, 2024, against the , where he went 6-for-6 with three home runs, two doubles, and 10 RBIs in a 20-4 win. Similarly, in 1999, Cardinals third baseman Fernando Tatis recorded 8 RBIs in a single game against the , driven primarily by two grand slams in the third inning. The MLB record for most RBIs in a single inning is 8, set by Tatis on , 1999, in the third of a 12-5 Cardinals win over the Dodgers at . Tatis achieved this uniquely by hitting two grand slams off pitcher —the only such occurrence in major league history—loading the bases twice in the same frame after errors and walks cleared them following the first homer. This mark stands alone with no ties, underscoring the exceptional circumstances required, such as defensive miscues and pitching changes within one . The record is 7 RBIs in an , tied multiple times, including by New York Yankees third baseman on October 4, 2009, against the in a 10-0 win. Rodriguez tallied his 7 in the sixth with a three-run home run off Andy Sonnanstine and a subsequent grand slam off Randy Choate, helping secure his 30th home run and 100th RBI of the season in the Yankees' final regular-season game. Such feats typically arise in blowout situations with bases-loaded opportunities, but the absence of ties at the overall MLB level emphasizes Tatis's singular accomplishment.

Postseason Records

In (MLB) postseason play, which encompasses the Wild Card Series, , , and , run batted in (RBI) totals are notably lower than in the due to the condensed format—typically 5 to 19 games per team, with a theoretical maximum of 22 games across all rounds. This structure amplifies the emphasis on performance under high pressure, where opportunities for RBIs are limited compared to the 162-game , where career leader amassed 2,297 RBIs. The single-postseason RBI record is held by , who drove in 22 runs during the Texas Rangers' 2023 championship run, surpassing the previous mark of 21 set by in 2011 and others like (2009) and (2004). García achieved this in just 17 games, highlighting his power surge with 5 home runs and a .357 in the . For career postseason RBIs, leads with 80 over 121 games across 16 series from 1991 to 2004, primarily with the New York Yankees during their late-1990s dynasty. Trailing him are Manny Ramírez (78 RBIs in 111 games) and (61 RBIs in 158 games), underscoring the value of longevity in playoff appearances. Williams' total reflects consistent production in high-stakes environments, including 22 postseason home runs that contributed to many of those RBIs. In individual World Series, the record for most RBIs is 12, a mark tied by Freddie Freeman in 2024 with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Bobby Richardson in 1960 with the New York Yankees. Freeman accomplished this in a 7-game series against the Yankees, batting .300 with 4 home runs, while Richardson's total came in a losing effort, driven by a 6-RBI game. Earlier standouts include Duke Snider with 8 RBIs in the 1952 World Series for the Brooklyn Dodgers, exemplifying the era's offensive challenges in the best-of-7 format. These series records emphasize RBI production in the Fall Classic's intense, short span of 4 to 7 games.

References

  1. https://www.mlb.com/glossary/standard-stats/runs-batted-in
  2. https://baseballrulesacademy.com/official-rule/mlb/9-04-runs-batted/
  3. https://www.baseball-reference.com/glossary/runs-batted-in/
  4. https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Runs_Batted_In
  5. https://sleeper.com/blog/what-is-rbi-in-baseball/
  6. https://www.mlb.com/stats/all-time-totals
  7. https://content.mlb.com/documents/2/2/4/305750224/2019_Official_Baseball_Rules_FINAL_.pdf
  8. https://mktg.mlbstatic.com/mlb/official-information/2024-official-baseball-rules.pdf
  9. https://ballparkdigest.com/2021/03/29/tales-from-the-baseball-thesaurus-rbi/
  10. https://sabr.org/journal/article/early-rbi-leaders-in-the-international-league/
  11. https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/henry-chadwick/
  12. https://sabr.org/journal/article/the-accurate-rbi-record-of-babe-ruth/
  13. https://www.mlb.com/news/all-time-rbi-leaders-at-each-position
  14. https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/cap-anson/
  15. https://www.sports-reference.com/blog/2014/08/the-complicated-history-of-rbi/
  16. https://sabr.org/journal/article/newly-discovered-rbi-records/
  17. https://sabr.org/journal/article/the-sacrifice-fly/
  18. https://www.mlb.com/news/a-look-at-baseball-triple-crown-winners
  19. https://sabr.org/journal/article/the-rise-and-fall-of-the-deadball-era/
  20. https://www.mlb.com/news/history-of-mlb-rules-changes
  21. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/29076732/tim-kurkjian-baseball-fix-history-sacrifice-fly-fascinating
  22. https://library.fangraphs.com/stats-to-avoid-runs-batted-in-rbi/
  23. https://sabr.org/journal/article/rbi-opportunities-and-power-hitting-opportunities-significantly-affect-rbi-totals/
  24. https://sabr.org/sabermetrics/offensive-statistic-caution
  25. https://library.fangraphs.com/misc/re24/
  26. https://library.fangraphs.com/offense/wrc/
  27. https://library.fangraphs.com/misc/war/
  28. https://library.fangraphs.com/offense/iso/
  29. https://www.statsperform.com/resource/state-of-analytics-how-the-movement-has-forever-changed-baseball-for-better-or-worse/
  30. https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/RBI_career.shtml
  31. https://www.mlb.com/news/players-with-2000-rbis
  32. https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/cap-anson
  33. https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Deadball_Era
  34. https://apnews.com/article/mlb-negro-leagues-statistics-changes-39321b1e2566f94e15359e65da96b34d
  35. http://www.755homeruns.com/timeline.shtml
  36. https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/albert-pujols-moves-ahead-of-alex-rodriguez-for-second-place-on-mlbs-all-time-rbi-list/
  37. https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/RBI_season.shtml
  38. https://www.mlb.com/player/ted-williams-124341
  39. https://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/september-16-1924-cardinals-jim-bottomley-sets-single-game-record-with-12-rbis/
  40. https://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/september-7-1993-hard-hittin-mark-whiten-hits-four-home-runs-for-cardinals/
  41. https://www.mlb.com/news/10-rbis-in-a-game-c268179672
  42. https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/75693-major-league-runs-batted-in-game
  43. https://www.mlb.com/news/shohei-ohtani-hits-3-homers-in-10-rbi-game-against-marlins
  44. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN199904230.shtml
  45. https://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/april-23-1999-fernando-tatis-hits-two-grand-slams-in-one-inning/
  46. https://www.mlb.com/news/fernando-tatis-hit-2-grand-slams-in-1-inning
  47. https://www.mlb.com/video/a-rod-s-grand-slam-c7002081
  48. https://www.mlb.com/news/two-home-runs-in-an-inning-c266221190
  49. https://www.mlb.com/news/adolis-garcia-most-rbis-in-single-postseason-record
  50. https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/102201-most-runs-batted-in-a-single-postseason-baseball
  51. https://www.mlb.com/stories/most-rbi-in-postseason-history
  52. https://www.statmuse.com/mlb/ask/most-rbi-all-time-postseason
  53. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/willibe02.shtml
  54. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/41833734/world-series-history-mlb-championship-winners-key-stats
  55. https://www.mlb.com/news/bobby-richardson-on-freddie-freeman-tying-world-series-rbi-record
  56. https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1952_WS.shtml
  57. https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/WS_batting.shtml
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